Surabaya – Balikpapan

On February 3, 1961 at 11:50 PM, Surabaya – Balikpapan experienced a crash involving Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3), operated by Garuda Indonesian Airways, with the event recorded near Java Sea All Indonesia.

The flight was categorized as scheduled revenue flight and the reported phase was flight at a lake, sea, ocean, river crash site.

26 people were known to be on board, 26 fatalities were recorded, 0 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 100.0%.

Crew on board: 5, crew fatalities: 5, passengers on board: 21, passenger fatalities: 21, other fatalities: 0.

The aircraft departed Surabaya-Juanda Airport in the evening bound for Balikpapan. While in cruising altitude, the airplane disappeared from radar screens and crashed into the Java Sea. SAR were conducted but eventually suspended after few days as no trace of the aircraft nor the 26 occupants was found. The crew was unable to send any distress call prior to the accident.

Aircraft reference details include registration PK-GDY, MSN 13052, year of manufacture 1944.